Quick charity verification for Jefferson Chamber Foundation (EIN: 205740978)
Verdict: Jefferson Chamber Foundation appears trustworthy
75/100Mission Score
$132KRevenue
$202KAssets
3Red Flags
3Strengths
Red Flags
Significant year-over-year revenue volatility (e.g., $515,503 in 2021 to $96,593 in 2023)
Expenses exceeding revenue in multiple recent periods (e.g., 2022 and 2023)
Asset base has decreased significantly from its peak in 2021 ($319,435 to $151,398 in 2023)
Strengths
Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating efficient use of funds for mission.
No reported liabilities in the two most recent filing periods (2022 and 2023), suggesting good short-term financial management.
Maintains a healthy asset base relative to its annual expenses in most years.
Spending Breakdown
How Jefferson Chamber Foundation allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
15%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
Fundraising
Within typical range
How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.
How to Interpret This Report
What Red Flags Mean
Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.
What Mission Score Measures
The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.
Using This Data for Donation Decisions
Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Jefferson Chamber Foundation
Is Jefferson Chamber Foundation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Jefferson Chamber Foundation (EIN: 205740978) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 75/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Jefferson Chamber Foundation a good charity to donate to?
Jefferson Chamber Foundation has a Mission Score of 75/100. Revenue: $132K. Assets: $202K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Jefferson Chamber Foundation?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Jefferson Chamber Foundation is 205740978. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.
What is a Mission Score?
The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.
How does Jefferson Chamber Foundation spend its money?
Jefferson Chamber Foundation allocates 80% to programs, 15% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Jefferson Chamber Foundation's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Jefferson Chamber Foundation's tax-exempt status using EIN 205740978 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.
AI Transparency Report
The Jefferson Chamber Foundation exhibits fluctuating financial performance over the past several years, with significant swings in revenue and expenses. For instance, revenue dropped from $515,503 in 2021 to $96,593 in 2023, while expenses also varied widely. The organization consistently reports zero officer compensation, which is a positive indicator of resource allocation directly to its mission rather than executive salaries. However, the consistent reporting of zero liabilities in recent years (2022 and 2023) after periods with some liabilities suggests good financial management in that area.
While the specific breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses is not provided in the summary data, the absence of officer compensation implies a potentially higher proportion of funds directed towards programs or general operations. The organization's assets have also shown variability, peaking at $319,435 in 2021 and decreasing to $151,398 by 2023. This volatility in financial metrics warrants closer examination of their operational efficiency and sustainability.
Overall, the foundation appears to be transparent regarding executive compensation, as it consistently reports $0. However, the significant year-over-year fluctuations in revenue and expenses, including periods where expenses exceeded revenue (e.g., 2022 and 2023), suggest potential challenges in consistent funding or financial planning. A deeper dive into their functional expense breakdown would be necessary to fully assess spending efficiency.